Waitlist tips needed please, brand new owner!

[ryan840]

Ugh. So I switched our dates for various reasons that made sense at the time and now long story short we are 2 points short for our reservation unless my waitlist comes through. Switching dates back is technically a possibility but it would likely result in my demise, courtesy of several parties involved. Sooo... I'm banking on that waitlist! I am also looking into a point transfer as a back-up, but that's another thread...

I'm waitlisted for a value studio at AKV for 5/3-5/6, is it likely to pull through? I saw the thread about calling to check on it but wouldn't know what to ask for. Do I just say "Hi, is my waitlist available yet?" or do I check on the dates individually to see if they are available? I made my ressies via email so I have never actually called MS before and could use all the tips you can throw at me. Thanks!!!

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Regarding calling MS....

You just say that you are calling to check on a waitlist. They will verify your identity and call up your account so they can see your future reservations. For the most part they are very helpful and will take as much time as you need to explain things to you. You can check to see if your waitlist has matched by looking on-line, but MS will answer that on the phone.

There are time of the day or week that you may be on hold for a while if they are busy, but overall my experiences with calling MS have always been very positive.

Sorry, i can't help with predictions as to your waitlist success. Haven't stayed at AKV yet.

 

[Lexxiefern]

When I call I usually say "Hi, I am calling to check availability for ....." sometimes I say I am calling to check on my waitlist, but that usually results in "No your waitlist has not come in yet". I like the CM to check the specific dates individually, that way I can choose if I want to book those nights or not. Especially since they no longer let us waitlist day by day. That is how I just got my current waitlist to come in. I booked one night and then a little later the same day I booked the other day.

I hope you get what you need!

 

[CarolA]

I am in the minority here. I never call to check on mine and have only failed to get what I wanted a couple of times.

That said, did you make a back up reservation. Are you willing to stay someplace else. The more options you waitlist the better your odds. For example for last October I waitlisted two nights at BCV and BWV in both a studio and a 1 Bedroom. Now I was already booked for 4 nights at BCV in a one bedroom, but.... I figured 'beggars can't be choosers' Wound up clearing BWV in a 1 bedroom BW view!

 

[ryan840]

Thanks for the replies! I do have a back up reservation, currently at OKW which is fine, we love OKW but the kids prefer the zero-entry pools (and so do we since they are still young).

Lexxiefern- That's what I got when I called and asked today (before checking in here )- "Nope, it's not available." So if I call and check the dates individually will they link them or will I end up changing rooms 3 times?

 

[CarolA]

Thanks for the replies! I do have a back up reservation, currently at OKW which is fine, we love OKW but the kids prefer the zero-entry pools (and so do we since they are still young).

Lexxiefern- That's what I got when I called and asked today (before checking in here )- "Nope, it's not available." So if I call and check the dates individually will they link them or will I end up changing rooms 3 times?

The BIG risk on the day by day...

Let's say you have 3 nights at OKW. You call and can get night two at AKV. So you waitlist 1 and 3 at AK. Now if they don't clear you get to move three times (YIKES!)

And depending on WHAT you waitlist you could still have to move. Let's say you got night 1 a AKV in a standard view and waitliste 2 and 3 any view. If you get Savannah view you get to move!

If it's an all or nothing... I would just go with the waitlist. If you are willing to move then I would ask if night 1 or night 3 is open and work from there. If it is and it's the view you want, take it and waitlist the other nights. Realize that once you limit the view you reduce the available rooms. Now I "think" that if you make each night a differnet waitlist you could still run the risk of night one or three without two. So I would do them as a "both night" waitlist. As long as it's the same view they will link it for you. I just got a new confirmation linking my last waitlist today. That way you don't have to move.

However, my experience with MOST MS personnel has been that if ANY of the nights are open they tell me over the phone. So just call and ask and if they say "no" with no other details ask if ANY of the nights are open and work from there.

 

[ryan840]

Thanks CarolA- we're already moving to Pop for the weekend so I definately don't want to be moving rooms anymore. I'll keep my fingers crossed and see what happens.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Yeah they link the ressies for you and you won't have to move (as long as same view like Carol said). I really hate to have to call to check on my waitlists, but I am only at about a 50% success rate with getting my waitlists. Obviously every circumstance is different. But if you REALLY want that room, I would keep calling.